Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Yuan Yuzhu was the oldest of the three, married into the family with the highest social standing, and thus had more experience.

She recounted the hardships she faced when she first married into the Duke of Dingguo's family. "The Yuan family's social standing was far inferior to that of the Duke of Dingguo's family. When I first married into the family, I was trembling with fear, afraid that I might do something wrong. Later, I gradually realized that being timid or carefree was the same for a lifetime, so I simply went all out, and my relationship with... and my short-lived husband actually improved."

"But the Duke of Dingguo's family is a prestigious clan, and countless people say I'm not good enough for the Lu family. Mingzhu, do you still remember your brother-in-law's cousin?"

Yuan Mingzhu said she remembered, "One year she even stayed at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion for a while."

"Originally, my mother-in-law wanted her to be your brother-in-law's legal wife, but she herself didn't want to marry a sickly man. After the marriage, the couple didn't get along, and then she thought of your brother-in-law again."

Speaking of her cousin, Yuan Yuzhu couldn't help but laugh. "She thought that since she and your brother-in-law were childhood sweethearts, and she was also my mother-in-law's niece, they would definitely help her. In fact, my mother-in-law really did consider having her marry into the family as a secondary wife. I was the one who went to your brother-in-law with a knife..."

"Sister, why...why haven't you mentioned this before?" This was the first time Yuan Mingzhu had heard about it.

"It's no use telling you, and besides, it's not that time yet. I told your brother-in-law that if he dared to take a concubine, I would kill him first and then commit suicide," Yuan Yuzhu said. "Later, I don't know what your brother-in-law said to the family, but they managed to send my cousin away."

At this point, she looked at Cui Lingrong and said, "Sister Cui, I'm a little better off than you. My husband is on my side, so my later days weren't so difficult. You're different. Even though you and Lord Song have been married for over ten years, no man would put love before his career."

Both she and Cui Lingrong were intelligent people, and Cui Lingrong could understand the hidden meaning in Yuan Yuzhu's words.

If you don't use ruthless methods, you'll be like a fish on the chopping block, at the mercy of others.

Yuan Yuzhu meant that she wanted Cui Lingrong to be more ruthless.

"Thank you for your concern, Sister Yuan." Cui Lingrong was truly grateful.

"No need to be so polite. If I leave Bianjing, I'll have to trouble you to take good care of Mingzhu," Yuan Yuzhu said.

"Is Sister Yuan leaving Bianjing?" Cui Lingrong asked.

Yuan Yuzhu said it was very likely, "After all, I was once the wife of the heir of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. If I were to remarry, which family in Bianjing would dare to accept me? You don't really think my parents-in-law would be so generous as to arrange a marriage for me, do you?"

Even today, her mother-in-law is still urging her to adopt a child, so that someone will offer incense to Lu Kangping in the future.

Yuan Yuzhu refused.

What reputation?

What kind of power?

She doesn't want any of it.

She's struggled for over a decade, and now all she wants is to be happy.

Cui Lingrong immediately understood, "Leaving Bianjing is good. Your brother is an official in Suzhou. I even saw him when my aunt passed away. Why not have him find you a family in Suzhou? With a brother to take care of you, you can also return to the place where you grew up. It's a very good thing."

Yuan Yuzhu smiled and said, "Yes, that's what I think too."

Yuan Mingzhu was reluctant to part with her sister, but she wanted her sister to be happy even more, and she verbally supported her.

The three of them talked for a while when Qiu's mother came over and said that some guests were leaving.

Cui Lingrong then went to the front yard.

Several days later, she saw Xie Yunting again and sincerely bowed to him, saying, "General Xie, I have specially asked Zeyu to treat you well. Please forgive me if there is anything that is not well received."

"Sister Cui, you're too kind. I'm not picky. I'm very grateful for your hospitality today; I've eaten and drunk my fill!" As Xie Yunting spoke, the Yuan sisters also came out.

Yuan Mingzhu glanced at Xie Yunting; he was quite handsome, but his reputation was terrible. However, since she had helped Ling Rong, she was still willing to give Xie Yunting face and addressed him as "General Xie."

Cui Lingrong introduced Yuan Yuzhu to Xie Yunting, who immediately became respectful upon learning that Yuan Yuzhu was the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Dingguo. "The Duke is a talented general. I was fortunate enough to fight alongside him. He is truly vigorous despite his advanced age!"

Yuan Yuzhu and Xie Yunting smiled and then went to say goodbye to Cui Lingrong.

After the two sisters boarded the carriage, Madam Qiu hurriedly chased after them, saying, "Madam forgot to mention earlier that if the young master's wife needs anything, she should just say so. She knows many people in Suzhou, and she will definitely help if she can."

"Alright, please thank your mistress for me." Yuan Yuzhu got into the carriage. "Your close friend is quite good. With her watching over you, I can feel much more at ease."

My younger sister has a fiery temper. Last time at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, if it weren't for Lady Song's help, she would have suffered even more.

Yuan Mingzhu said proudly, "Of course! In Bianjing, Lingrong and I are the best of friends. We're going to be best friends for life."

Yuan Yuzhu looked at her younger sister with affection. Her sister was luckier than her, with a harmonious marriage and true friends.

"By the way, has your sister-in-law really taken a liking to Xie Yunting?" Yuan Yuzhu asked.

"It's not my sister-in-law who has taken a liking to him; it's my father-in-law and brother-in-law who think Xie Yunting is quite good—young, promising, and a natural leader. They want to marry Fang'er from the eldest branch of the family to Xie Yunting." That's why Yuan Mingzhu glanced at Xie Yunting a few more times earlier. "My sister-in-law is so eager for Fang'er to marry into a marquis's family; how could she possibly be interested in someone like Xie Yunting, who comes from humble origins?"

"That's true." Yuan Yuzhu nodded.

The Jiang family were also military families, but the eldest son and his sons were only so-so. It was normal for them to want a more powerful in-law family.

Having watched Fang'er grow up, Yuan Mingzhu couldn't help but worry. "Sister, tell me, is marrying Xie Yunting a good thing or a bad thing?"

"It depends on the situation."

Yuan Yuzhu analyzed the situation for her sister, "Xie Yunting brought back five cities from the frontier, and the Emperor greatly appreciates him. At this time, Xie Yunting can act with impunity in Bianjing. However, he lacks a strong foundation and has offended many people. If you want his current power, you can arrange a marriage with him. But it's hard to say whether Xie Yunting's career will continue to be smooth."

The Emperor is getting old and may pass away at any time. When the new Emperor ascends the throne, who can guarantee that he will also value Xie Yunting?

If the Emperor were to adopt the youngest son of Prince Rong, Xie Yunting would not have a good life, given the fact that he had insulted Prince Rong and his wife that day.

But things are unpredictable. They were women confined to their homes, and even the cabinet ministers didn't know who the emperor intended to adopt, let alone them.

"If the Jiang family's eldest branch really marries Xie Yunting, the Jiang family will definitely gain prestige for a while, but they will also become estranged from many people. Your father-in-law is a man of many schemes; anyway, he's not going to let your daughter marry Xie Yunting, so you don't need to worry about it." After Yuan Yuzhu finished speaking, she added, "If something like this happens again in the future, you can discuss it with Sister Cui; she will definitely be able to help you."

"I know, you think I'm stupid. I know that. From now on, I'll consult with Ling Rong. Can you rest assured now?"

"You silly girl, I'm doing this for your own good!"

The two sisters chatted and laughed as the carriage stopped at the Jiang family's gate. Yuan Mingzhu had just returned to the courtyard when she heard that Fang Jie'er was threatening suicide, refusing to marry Xie Yunting.

"How dare she do that?" Yuan Mingzhu was very surprised.

Fang'er was raised by her sister-in-law to be gentle and frail, and she had no demeanor whatsoever that of a daughter of a military general. It seems that she really did not want to marry Xie Yunting.

It's not surprising, Xie Yunting's reputation in Bianjing was so bad that even the most powerful and influential families looked down on him.

On the other side, Xie Yunting took Cui Zeyu to Fanlou, where they also talked about his marriage.

After finishing a pot of wine, Xie Yunting slammed his hand on the table and said, "Tell me, what's wrong with me, Xie Yunting? Some people are tall, some are clumsy, and I'm not any less handsome than those pale-faced scholars, am I?"

"Brother Xie is an outstanding person, and you will have a destined marriage." Cui Zeyu truly thought Xie Yunting was a good person. "Moreover, you are valued by the officials, and many families are willing to arrange a marriage between you and your family."

"I don't like those who take the initiative to be friendly with me. They're not straightforward at all, they beat around the bush and never say what they really think." Many of Xie Yunting's soldiers are married, but he, the great general, has never touched a woman.

A few days ago, he dreamed of Sister Cui, which startled him so much that he woke up in a cold sweat.

Although he has a bad reputation, he is a moral person and would never do something like having an affair.

"Brother Cui, why don't you introduce me to someone?" Xie Yunting's eyes suddenly lit up. He felt comfortable with Cui Zeyu, and Cui Zeyu would definitely understand his preferences. "I don't care about social status, but they have to be compatible with my temperament."

Cui Zeyu said he was a businessman who traveled all over the country and didn't know any young ladies from wealthy families. "No, that's not right..."

He thought of Yu-jie. After the New Year, Yu-jie would be fourteen, which was also the age when she could get engaged.

If we could have Xie Yunting as a son-in-law, who would dare to bully my sister in the future?

Cui Zeyu had an idea and went to see his sister early the next morning.